Keto Diet After Bariatric Surgery?

Should you follow a keto diet after bariatric surgery? Some people think it is the best diet for post-op weight loss, while other people think the drawbacks outweigh the risks. The truth may be that a keto diet is right for some people, and not right for others. 

These are some things to think about as you decide whether to follow a keto diet. After you weigh the pros and cons, if you decide you want to try a low-carb keto diet after bariatric surgery, here are some tips to get started. The BariatricPal Store has a wide selection of Keto-Friendly Foods and Dietary Fibers to make your diet easier to follow.

Weight Loss on a Keto Diet

Low-carb keto diets may help you lose as much weight or more weight than non-keto diets. This can be because of the severe reduction in calories and carbohydrates, as well as the fact that a keto diet could be more filling than a high-carb diet.

First, on a keto diet, you reduce or eliminate high-carb foods such as grains, most fruit, sweets, potatoes, and other starchy vegetables. Avoiding these foods can cause a big decrease in calorie intake, which can lead to rapid weight loss.

Another reason a keto diet can help with weight loss is by filling you up so that you eat less. A keto diet is high in protein and fat. These nutrients take longer to digest than, say, sugar and refined starches. That means you can feel full for longer and eat less overall. In contrast, sugary and starchy foods may not keep you full for long. They may even lead to spikes and then drops in blood sugar that leave you hungrier than before. Taking Dietary Fiber Supplements can also help reduce hunger.*

Other Potential Benefits of a Keto Diet

A keto diet may have other benefits. A major one is that it could help lower blood sugar or prevent diabetes. That’s because a high-sugar diet is linked to increased risk for diabetes. If you already have high blood sugar, such as if you have prediabetes or diabetes, your body has trouble managing carbohydrates and limiting them can help keep down blood sugar levels. Adding Dietary Fiber can also help stabilize blood sugar.*

Some other possible benefits of a keto diet are linked to the weight loss it can cause. Improved blood sugar, blood pressure, and blood cholesterol levels are all likely when you lose extra weight after weight loss surgery.

Is A Keto Diet Healthy for You?

Ask your healthcare provider about the risks of a keto diet. In the short-term, a keto diet can make you feel dizzy or weak, or even cause dehydration. It can also make you constipated, though taking in extra fluids and getting Dietary Fiber from a supplement can help promote healthy digestion.*

Longer term, there is a risk of kidney or liver trouble due to a high intake of protein. In addition, if you choose foods that are high in saturated fat, such as meat and butter, it is possible that heart health can be compromised. Ask your doctor if it is right for you.

Getting Started on a Keto Diet

If you and your healthcare provider decide that a keto diet is for you, you’ll need to know your macros. That’s the amount of carbs, fat, and proteins you should aim for in a day. These are some general guidelines.

• Carbohydrates: 25 to 50 grams in a day, or more if you are more active
• Fat: 30 to 40 grams in a day
• Protein: 60 to 80 grams in a day

As you can see, the amount of protein in a keto diet is high. That is good news for weight loss surgery patients, who often struggle to get enough protein.

To get started, you need to know which foods are allowed and not.

These are typically allowed because they have few or no carbs.

• Fish, meat, poultry, and eggs
• Cheese
• Cream, butter, and oil
• Nuts, peanuts, and seeds
• Non-starchy vegetables
• Small amounts of berries, cottage cheese, and Greek yogurt

Fiber on a Keto Diet

Since a keto diet avoids high-fiber foods such as whole grains, many fruits, and some vegetables, you may have trouble getting enough fiber. The BariatricPal Store has many products to help, such as these.

• High-Fiber, Low-Carb Breakfast Cereals, such as Nana Flakes and Keto Granola
• High-Fiber Pasta and Bagels
• Protein and Fiber Bars
• Lemon Iced Tea Fiber Drink
• Sugar-Free HIgh-Fiber Candy, such as Gummies

Getting enough fiber is important when trying to prevent constipation on a keto diet. Just remember to increase fiber intake only gradually, and to drink plenty of water when you do. That can lower your risk of having an upset stomach.

Foods to Help with a Keto Diet

You’ll need to avoid many high-carb foods on a keto diet, but don’t worry. Whether you love bread, pasta, rice, candy, or baked goods, the BariatricPal Store has Keto-Friendly versions of these items that can satisfy cravings, keep you on your meal plan, and satisfy your bariatric surgery diet requirements. These are examples of types of foods you can enjoy on a keto diet.

• Protein Mashed Potatoes
• Protein Pancakes and Waffles
• Protein Bread, Bagels, Tortillas, Pizza Crust, and Wraps
• Keto Pasta and Rice
• Keto-Friendly Baking Mixes for Cakes, Cookies, and More, along with Keto-Friendy Frosting
• Keto-Friendly Chocolate and Candy

Whether or not you follow a keto diet is an individual question that depends on personal factors and on the recommendations of your surgeon or nutritionist. If you choose to, you can count on the BariatricPal Store for all kinds of Keto Foods that can keep you satisfied and prevent you from missing your favorite high-carb foods. Also check out our Dietary Fiber Supplements to make sure you get enough. Just be sure to work closely with your healthcare team as you decide about a keto diet and if you follow one.

*The Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated these statements. BariatricPal Store products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Anyone with a medical condition should seek the advice of a licensed medical practitioner. Individual results may vary.